Antonio Conte warned being Italy Coach is “twice as difficult” than in 2006, but “we’re working to make our dreams come true.”
The Azzurri boss spoke at a public event in Catanzaro and was asked about comments Marcello Lippi made that there are now only 35 per cent of Serie A players available for selection.
“Lippi was a great teacher and as a Coach he took us to the top of the world,” noted Conte.
“By saying the percentage of players to choose from has dropped, Lippi confirms that the job of Italy Coach has become twice as difficult.
“Despite that, we must continue to work with our heads down and try to make our dreams come true.”
Italian football is back on the map in club terms, as Juventus are in the Champions League quarter-finals, while Napoli and Fiorentina are fighting for a spot in the final four of the Europa League.
“We should all applaud and wish the best to these teams, hoping they can go as far as possible.”
Many clubs now are unsure about sending their players for international duty in case of injury, but Conte said this was nothing new.
“I gave a knee and an ankle to the Nazionale, but I did it with pleasure, because wearing the Azzurri jersey is something incredible.”
This event was part of an anti-racism drive, but also touched upon the increasingly vicious banners from Roma fans aimed at Antonella Leardi, the mother of shot Napoli supporter Ciro Esposito.
“The fans are our 12th man, but only when they cheer their own team on and don’t focus on insulting someone else,” continued Conte.
“When a player hears his own fans insult opponents, he feels ashamed. It would be wonderful if in Italy we thought only of supporting our own squads.
“It is a culture of insults that sparks ugly incidents like racism, which must be condemned.”
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